Method and apparatus for resetting shared computer output apparatus

Abstract: A computer output apparatus such as a printer (1500) is provided with a plurality of interface sections (11a,11b,...) for interfacing to a corresponding plurality ofcomputers (2a,2b...). Each interface section has a corresponding input buffer (9a,9b,...), and the printer has a storage means (9c) for storing the image data currently being prepared for output, as well as a means (9d) for storing the identity of the interface (11a,11b...) whose data is currently being processed into the image data storage means (9c). A plurality of reset means (5a,5b,...) is provided, one per interface (11a,11b,...), for deleting the contents of the corresponding interface's input buffer (9a,9b,...). Additionally, should the actuated reset means (5a,5b,...) correspond to the interface (11a,11b,...) whose data is currently being processed into the image data storage means (9c), as determined by the current interface ID storage means (9d), then the image data storage means (9c), is also cleared. Notification means (5c,5d,...) (such as LEDs) are provided to indicate which reset means (5a,5b,...) (if any) has been actuated.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an output apparatus and to an output method. Related Background Art Among conventional output apparatuses, for example, among printing apparatuses such as printer and the like, there is an apparatus in which a plurality of interface sections to input data are installed and each interface section can be connected to a host computer, a network, and the like through each predetermined cord. In case of such a printing apparatus, it can be used by a method such that, for example, a certain interface is connected to a personal computer and the other interfaces are connected to a workstation through a network, or the like. Therefore, each time a printing process is executed from the personal computer or workstation, a complicated operation such that the cords are physically connected again is unnecessary. On the other hand, there is a case where, for instance, after the operator sent data to the printing apparatus, he desires to stop the printing process for the supplied data halfway before the process of the printing apparatus is finished. Or, in the case where, for instance, the printing apparatus cannot perform a normal print and the process is interrupted because illegal data was inputted, there is a case where it is necessary to delete the illegal data which has already been stored in the printing apparatus. As a countermeasure for such cases, many printing apparatuses have a function for deleting all of the data stored in the printing apparatus and forcedly stopping the process by instructing the resetting by the operator from an operation panel or the like of a main body. Such a function to forcedly stop the process is, for example, called a resetting function. In the case where the printing apparatuses are connected to a plurality of host computers through a plurality of interface sections as mentioned above or the like, however, when the above resetting function is executed, the data inputted from all of the host computers is forcedly deleted. That is, in the case where, when a certain operator has sent illegal data from a certain host computer through a certain interface section and has executed the resetting process because he must stop the printing process halfway, there is a problem such that the data inputted from another host computer through another interface by another operator is also deleted at the same time, so that another operator is annoyed by the certain operator or the like. Document EP-A1-0 556 994 concerns an output method and unit. According to the teaching of this document an output unit can be connected to a plurality of data generation sources, from which sources print data can be input substantially simultaneously. Printing is performed by data generation sources. Document "Enhanced Print Queue Management Program" in "IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin", Vol. 30, No. 5, October 1987, pp. 242-248, teaches to hold, release, cancel, change or move one or more print requests. Furthermore, document WO-A-90/12359 relates to a communications interface for a computer output printer. A computer output printer is provided with a communications interface having a plurality of input ports. Each port can be configured to emulate a different manufacturer's printer and is provided with a buffer to store print messages while print messages from another port are being printed. Also, this document teaches a job abortion, i.e. stopping processing of a job. Document EP-A1-0 595 594 by the same applicant as the present case falls under the provisions of Art. 54(3) EPC. This document teaches to delete a designated print job. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is made to solve the above problem and it is an object of the invention to provide an output apparatus and an output method. To solve the above problems, according to the invention, there is provided an output apparatus as defined in claim 1. Furthermore to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, there is provided an output method as defined in claim 7. Favorable further developments are defined in the respective dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a first output apparatus to which the present invention can be applied; Fig. 2 is an external view of a second output apparatus to which the invention can be applied; Fig. 3 is a system block diagram of the output apparatus in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an I/F reset interrupting process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Before explaining a construction of an embodiment, preferred constructions of a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer to which the embodiment is applied will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. A printer to which the embodiment is applied is not limited to the laser beam printer and ink jet printer but printers of other printing systems can be also used. Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view showing a construction of a first output apparatus to which the invention can be applied and shows a case of, for example, a laser beam printer (LBP). In the diagram, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body for receiving and storing print information (character code or the like), form information, macro command, and the like which are supplied from a host computer connected to the outside, for forming a corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like in accordance with those information, and thereby for forming an image onto a recording paper or the like as a recording medium. Reference numeral 1501 denotes an operation unit on which switches, an LED display device, and the like for the operation are arranged. Reference numeral 1000 indicates a printer control unit to control the whole LBP main body 1500 and to analyze character information and the like which are supplied from the host computer. The printer control unit 1000 mainly converts the character information to the video signal of the corresponding character pattern and outputs to a laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a circuit to drive a semiconductor laser 1503. The laser driver 1502 switches the on/off operations of a laser beam 1504 which is emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 to be turned on or off in accordance with the input video signal. The laser beam 1504 is swung to the right and left by a rotary polygon mirror 1505, thereby scanning and exposing onto an electrostatic drum 1506. Due to this, an electrostatic latent image of the character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. The latent image is developed by a development unit 1507 arranged around the electrostatic drum 1506 and, after that, the developed image is copy transferred onto the recording paper. A cut sheet is used as a recording paper. The cut sheet recording papers are enclosed on a sheet cassette 1508 set in the LBP main body 1500 and are picked up and conveyed one by one into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1509 and conveying rollers 1510 and 1511, and the paper is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506. The LBP main body 1500 has at least one or more card slots (not shown), thereby enabling an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) of a different language system to be connected in addition to the built-in font. The LBP main body 1500 further has a hard disc, so that the main body 1500 can store font data or can down-load the contents of the foregoing optional font card and a control card (emulation card) of a different language system. Fig. 2 is an external view showing a construction of a second output apparatus to which the invention can be applied and shows a case of, for example, an ink jet recording apparatus (IJRA5100). In the diagram, a carriage HC which is come into engagement with a spiral groove 5004 of a lead screw 5005 which rotates in an interlocking relation with forward/reverse rotation of a drive motor 5013 through driving force transfer gears 5011 and 5009 has a pin (not shown) and is reciprocated in directions of arrows (a) and (b). An ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate which presses the paper to a platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage; 5007 and 5008 photocouplers which function as home position detecting means for recognizing the existence of a lever 5006 of the carriage in the area of the photocoupler and for performing the switching operation of the rotating direction of the motor 5013 or the like; 5016 a member to support a cap member 5022 for capping the whole surface of the recording head; 5015 sucking means for sucking the inside of the cap and for performing the sucking recovery of the recording head through an opening 5023 in the cap; 5017 a cleaning blade which can be moved in the front and rear directions by a member 5019; 5018 a main body supporting plate which supports the blade 5017 and member 5019; and 5012 a lever to start the sucking operation of the sucking recovery. The lever moves in association with the movement of a cam 5020 which is come into engagement with the carriage and a driving force from the driving motor is transferred and controlled by well-known transmitting means such as a clutch switching or the like. Although those capping, cleaning, and sucking recovery are constructed in a manner such that a desired process can be performed by the operation of the lead screw 5005 at its corresponding position when the carriage reaches a region on the home position side, it is sufficient to construct so as to perform a desired operation at a well-known timing. The IJRA main body 5100 has at least one or more card slots (not shown) so as to connect an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) of a different language system in addition to a built-in font. The IJRA main body 5100 further has a hard disc and can also store font data and down-load the contents of the optional font card and control card (emulation card) of the different language system as mentioned above. Fig. 3 is a system block diagram showing a construction of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and shows the laser beam printer shown in Fig. 1 as an example. In Fig. 3, reference numeral 1500 denotes the laser beam printer (hereinafter, referred to as an "LBP") comprising the printer controller 1000 (hereinlater, referred to as a controller), an engine 4, the panel device 1501, and a disc device 6. The LBP 1500 is connected to external host apparatuses 2a and 2b. The LBP is constructed in a manner such that it receives the print data or the like from the host apparatuses 2a and 2b, and executes a printing process. In the controller 1000, a CPU 7 controls each section on the basis of various kinds of control programs stored in a PROM 8. In the PROM 8, the following programs have also been stored: a print data analyzing program which is referred by the CPU 7 when the input data such as print data or the like is interpreted and converted into the image data; a first deleting program for deleting the data stored in an input buffer section by a predetermined method; a second deleting program for deleting the data stored in a frame buffer section by a predetermined method; a judging program for comparing the designated interface section and the interface section which is executing the printing process at present and for judging either one of the first and second deleting programs which is used; and the like. A first host interface (hereinbelow, the interface is referred to as an "I/F") 11a and a second host I/F 11b are the interfaces for communicating the print data, command, and the like with the host apparatuses 2a and 2b, respectively. An engine I/F 12 communicates with the engine 4 which actually prints. A panel I/F 13 is an interface for communicating an instruction and a state with the panel device 1501 for indicating a state of the LBP 1500 to the operator and for instructing to change a printing environment or to designate the I/F to be reset for the LBP 1500 by the operator. A disc I/F 14 communicates with the disc device 6. Reference numeral 9 denotes an RAM having: a first input buffer 9a to temporarily store the input data such as print data or the like from the host 2a; a second input buffer 9a to temporarily store input data such as print data or the like from the host 2b; a frame buffer 9c to store the image data; and a current I/F name storage area to store the name of I/F which is executing the printing process at present. The RAM 9 is also used as a work area of the CPU 7. Reference numeral 10 denotes an NVRAM (nonvolatile memory) in which an area to store information such as a printing environment or the like is held. The panel device 1501 comprises; a first I/F reset button 5a which is depressed in the case where the operator desires a resetting process of the input data from the first I/F 11a; a second I/F reset button 5b which is depressed in the case where the operator desires the resetting process of the input data from the second I/F 11b; a first LED 5c which is turned on during the resetting process of the data from the first I/F 11a; a second LED 5d which is turned on during the resetting process of the data from the second I/F 11b; a liquid crystal panel (not shown) to display a character train (for instance, the name of the I/F which is being reset); and the like. The disc drive 6 is an external storage apparatus to store various kinds of data, such as hard disc drive, magnetooptic disc drive, floppy disc drive, or the like. The engine 4 is an apparatus to actually print the image data to the recording medium. The LBP 1500 receives an electric power from a power source section (not shown). An ordinary printing process which is executed by the LBP 1500 in the case where data is supplied from the host 2a will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. When data is supplied from the host 2a to the LBP 1500 through the host I/F 11a, the CPU 7 stores the input data (which is constructed by a character code and a control code) into the first input buffer 9a. The CPU 7 also stores the value indicative of the first I/F, for example, "1" into the current I/F storage area 9d. After all of the input data was stored in the input buffer 9a, the CPU 7 interprets the print data stored in the input buffer 9a with reference to the print data analyzing program stored in the PROM 8 and converts, for instance, a character code to a character pattern, thereby forming the image data. The image data formed by the CPU 7 is stored into the frame buffer 9c (bit map memory). The CPU 7 interprets all of the input data and forms the image data and stores into the frame buffer 9c and, after that, sends the image data (bit map data) stored in the frame buffer 9c to the engine 4 through the engine I/F 12. When receiving the image data transmitted from the CPU 7 through the engine I/F 12, the engine 4 prints and outputs the image data onto an actual recording medium. As mentioned above, in the case where the data is inputted from the host 2a, the LBP 1500 executes the ordinary printing process, thereby actually outputting the image data to the recording medium. In the case where the data is supplied from the host 2b, the LBP 1500 executes processes similar to those mentioned above excluding that the input data (which is constructed by a character code and a control code) is stored in the second input buffer 9b and a value indicating the second I/F, for example, "2" is stored in the current I/F storage area 9d, so that the image data is actually outputted to the recording medium. In this instance, when the operator depresses the first I/F reset button 5a or second I/F reset button 5b provided for the panel device 1501 during the ordinary printing process as mentioned above, an interruption to reset the first I/F or second I/F is notified to the CPU 7. The resetting process which is executed by the controller 1000 in this case will now be described with reference to a flowchart shown in Fig. 4. A program shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4 has been stored in the PROM 8 and is executed by the CPU 7. When the interruption notification to reset the first or second I/F is generated from the panel device 1501, the CPU 7 judges whether it is the interruption notification to reset the first I/F or not in step S1. When the CPU judges that it is the interruption notification to reset the first I/F in step S1, the CPU 7 turns on the first LED 5c of the panel device 1501 through the panel I/F 13 in step S2. In step S3, a check is made to see if the value stored in the current I/F name storage area 9d is equal to "1" (the first I/F) or not. In the case where the value (1) indicative of the first I/F has been stored in the current I/F name storage area 9d, this means that the input data received from the host apparatus 2a was being printed. In the case where the value (2) indicative of the second I/F has been stored, this means that the input data received from the host apparatus 2b is being printed. In step S3, when the CPU judges that the value stored in the current I/F storage area 9d is equal to "2", namely, the input data from the second host is being printed (or, during the pattern development), the CPU 7 deletes the input data stored in the first input buffer 9a in step S4. This is because the controller 1000 was executing the printing process (or, the pattern developing process) to the input data received from the second host 2b just before the interrupting process is started and the image data (corresponding to the input data received from the second host 2b) stored in the frame buffer 9c is not deleted. In step S5, after the input data stored in the first input buffer 9a was deleted, the CPU 7 turns off the first LED 5c, thereby finishing the interrupting process. In this case, since it relates to the reset interruption in which the input data from the second host 2b is being printed (or, during the pattern development), after completion of the interrupting process, the printing process (or, pattern developing process) of the input data from the second host 2b which was interrupted by the interrupting process is restarted. On the other hand, when the CPU 7 judges that the value stored in the current I/F name storage area 9d is equal to "1", namely, the input data from the first host is being processed (or, during the pattern development) in step S3, the CPU 7 deletes the image data stored in the frame buffer 9c in step S6. This means that the controller 1000 was printing the data received from the first host 2a (or, during the pattern development) just before the interrupting process is started, so that the image data to be printed has been stored in the frame buffer 9c. The processing routine subsequently advances to step S4 and the input data stored in the first input buffer 9a is deleted as mentioned above. In step S5, after the input data stored in the first input buffer 9a was deleted, the first LED 5c is turned off and the interrupting process is finished. In this case, the process interrupted by the interrupting process is the printing process of the data from the first host computer and the resetting process of the data from the first host computer is executed by such an interruption. Therefore, after completion of the interrupting process, the printing process of the data from the first host computer which was interrupted is not started again. When the CPU judges that the interruption indicates the interrupting notification to reset the second I/F in step S1, the CPU 7 turns on the second LED 5d in step S11 and a check is made in step S7 to see if the value stored in the current I/F name storage area 9d is equal to "2" or not. When it is judged that the value stored in the current I/F name storage area 9d is equal to "1", namely, the input data from the first host 2a is being printed (or, during the pattern development), the CPU 7 deletes the input data stored in the second input buffer 9b in step S8. This is because the controller 1000 is executing the printing process (or pattern development) to the input data received from the first host 2a just before the interrupting process is started and the image data (corresponding to the input data received from the first host 2a) stored in the frame buffer 9c is not deleted. Subsequently, in step S9, the CPU 7 deletes the input data stored in the second input buffer 9b and, after that, turns off the second LED 5d. The interrupting process is finished. In this case, since the resetting interruption in which the input data from the first host 2a is being printed (or, during the pattern development) is performed, when the interrupting process is finished, the printing process (or, pattern developing process) of the input data from the first host 2a which was interrupted by the interrupting process is restarted. On the other hand, in step S7, when the CPU 7 judges that the value stored in the current I/F name storage area 9d is equal to "2", that is, the input data from the second host 2b is being printed (or, during the pattern development) in step S7, the CPU 7 deletes the image data stored in the frame buffer 9c in step S10. This is because since the controller 1000 was executing the printing process (or pattern development) to the input data received from the second host 2b just before the interrupting process is started, the image data to be printed has been stored in the frame buffer 9c. The processing routine advances to step S8 and the input data stored in the second input buffer 9b is deleted in a manner similar to the above. In step S9, when the deletion of the input data stored in the second input buffer 9b is finished, the second LED 5d is turned off and the interrupting process is finished. In this case, the process interrupted by the interrupting process is the printing process (or data developing process) of the input data from the second host 2b. The resetting process of the input data from the second host 2b is executed by such an interruption. Therefore, after the interrupting process, the printing process (or pattern developing process) of the input data from the second host 2b which was interrupted is not restarted. As described above, according to the embodiment, the input data in the input buffer of an arbitrary I/F which is designated by the user can be deleted. For example, even when the input data is received from the first host 2a through the first I/F 11a and is being printed (or, during the pattern development) (when the first I/F 11a is in an active state), the input data is received through the second I/F 11b and the input data stored in the input buffer 9b can be deleted. As described above, only the data which needs the resetting process can be reset. A situation such that the data which doesn't need to be reset is forcedly reset can be prevented. Further, since the LED which properly indicates the I/F is ON during the resetting operation, the operator can recognize the I/F which is executing the deleting process. Therefore, a situation such that the data is erroneously sent to the interface which is executing the resetting process and the data is deleted and is not printed and outputted can be prevented. Although the embodiment has been described with respect to the case of using the LBP as a printing apparatus as an example, the invention is not limited to such an example. For instance, another printer such as LED printer, dot impact printer, or the like or another printing apparatus such as printer, copying apparatus, or the like can be also used. Although the embodiment has been described with respect to the case where the apparatus has a plurality of input buffers, it is also possible to construct in a manner such that one input buffer is used. In either case an identifier or the like of the I/F name is added to each data to be stored. Although the example using the panel device has been shown and described as a method of designating the I/F to be reset by the operator, it is also possible to use a method of designating the I/F to be reset by a command through the host computer. Although the embodiment has been described with respect to the example in which the interface during the resetting process is notified to the operator by using the LED on the panel device, the name of the interface during the resetting process can be also displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) on the panel device. Or, such an interface name can be also notified to the host computer through a bidirectional interface and displayed on a display device such as a CRT or the like. With such a construction, the invention is particularly effective to the case where the upper apparatus such as a host computer or the like and the printing apparatus such as a printer or the like are installed at remote positions or the like. The invention can be applied to a system comprising a plurality of equipment or may be also applied to an apparatus comprising one equipment. The invention can be also obviously applied to the case where the invention is accomplished by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In the above embodiment, the input buffer (comprising a character code and a control code) stored in the input buffer has been deleted. However, a type phase or macro data can be also deleted every I/F. According to the above embodiment, the image data in the frame buffer of an arbitrary I/F that is designated by the user can be deleted.

Claims: An output apparatus comprising: an input buffer section (9; 9a, 9b) for storing input data from a plurality of external apparatuses (2a, 2b), the input data being provided with an identifier; an analyzing section (7) for analyzing the input data stored by said input buffer section and for forming image data; and an image data storing section (9c) for storing the image data formed by said analyzing section, wherein the output apparatus further includes: adding means for adding the identifier to the input data; judging means for judging (S3) whether image data has been formed from the input data stored in said input buffer section, based on the identifier added by said adding means; and deletion means for deleting (S6) the image data in said image data storing section, if the judgement made by said judging means is positive (S3: YES). An output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said deletion means deletes (S6) the image data in said image data storing section and prevents said analyzing section from forming the image data from the input data, if the judgement (S3) made by said judging means is positive. An output apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said deletion means deletes (S4) the input data stored by said input buffer section. An output apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising a plurality of interface sections (11a, 11b) for inputting the input data and interface judging means for judging (S1) which one of the plurality of interface sections is designated, wherein said deletion means deletes (S4) the input data input by the designated interface section in said input buffer section, and deletes (S6) the image data in said image data storage section if (S3: YES) the image data has been formed from the input data input by the designated interface section. An output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein if said designated interface section differs (S3: NO) from an interface section at which the input data now under printing was input, said deletion means deletes (S4) only the input data from said input buffer section. An output apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising notifying means (S2, S5, S11, S9) for notifying to an operator the interface section of which the corresponding input buffer section is being deleted. An output method comprising the steps of: storing, in an input buffer section (9; 9a, 9b), input data from a plurality of external apparatuses (2a, 2b), the input data being provided with an identifier; analyzing, in an analyzing section (7), the input data stored by said input buffer section and forming image data; and storing, in an image data storing section (9c), the image data formed by said analyzing and forming step, wherein the output method further comprises the steps: adding the identifier to the input data; judging (S3) whether image data has been formed from the input data stored in said input buffer section, based on the added identifier; and deleting (S6) the image data in said image data storing section, if the judgement made in said judging step is positive (S3: YES). An output method according to claim 7, wherein said deleting (S6) step deletes the image data in said image data storing section and prevents said analyzing section from forming the image data from the input data, if the judgement (S3) made in said judging step is positive. An output method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said deleting step deletes (S4) the input data stored by said input buffer section. An output method according to claim 7, 8, or 9, further comprising inputting data to a plurality of interface sections (11a, 11b) and an interface judging step (S1) for judging which one of the plurality of interface sections is designated, wherein said deleting step (S4) deletes the input data input by the designated interface section in said input buffer section, and deletes (S6) the image data in said image data storage section if (S3: YES) the image data has been formed from the input data input by the designated interface section. An output method according to claim 10, wherein if said designated interface section differs (S3: NO) from an interface section at which the input data now under printing was input, said deleting step (S4) deletes only the input data from said input buffer section. An output method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a notifying step (S2, S5, S11, S9) for notifying to an operator the interface section of which the corresponding input buffer section is being deleted.

Inventors: IKENO TOSHIHIKO, KOJO YOSHIYUKI, MORI JUNICHI, IKENO, TOSHIHIKO, KOJO, YOSHIYUKI, MORI, JUNICHI, IKENO, TOSHIHIKO, C/O CANON K.K., KOJO, YOSHIYUKI, C/O CANON K.K., MORI, JUNICHI, C/O CANON K.K.
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G06F3
IPC codes: G06F3, B41J5